Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1521235
M OT I O N P I CTU R E S O U N D E D I TO R S 59 allies to help fight the project. But he soon discovered that all the local engineers, every one of them, were reluctant to publicly shame a state or regional agency they had worked for, were working for, or wanted to work for. Avram had no choice but to find the tunnel-boring facts himself, and within six months of discovery, he learned about tunnel engineering, hydrology, geology, and land use laws which facilitated his first report to Pasadena's City Council, as well as South Pasadena elected officers and activists. He became the local tunnel expert and after another six months, Avram was capable of generating four responses (or findings) to Caltran's Draft Environmental Impact Report. A year and a half later, following more pushback from four cities and local activists, the proposed tunnel project was defeated. Avram continued to serve on the West Pasadena Residents' Association as Board Director, Land Use Committee Chair, Vice President and VP of Communications until resigning in 2022. Throughout his tenure in the film industry, Avram nurtured a passion for storytelling, channeling his creative energies into crafting screenplays and acquiring a literary agent. Although one of his screenplays was optioned, it failed to find funding and the reality of trying to balance two careers simultaneously wasn't working out. Passion is a primary ingredient for making things happen and diluting it by dividing its focus just doesn't work. Avram needed to make a difficult decision. He had to prioritize his role as a sound editor, understanding that splitting his focus would hinder his potential for success in both fields. Still, Avram's literary aspirations never waned and in 2011, he published his fictional trilogy, Irv's Odyssey, available through online book distributors like Amazon. Avram feels privileged for the opportunity to travel the world with his endearing wife Tina, his best friend, advisor, and unwavering supporter for 48 years. Their adventures together have taken them to far-flung destinations like Papua New Guinea, India, Australia, South America, Antarctica, New Zealand, Japan, and Korea; even the Middle East, including Dubai, Qatar, Doha, and Abu Dhabi. One of the most profound experiences for Avram during his travels was the opportunity to engage with individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, including Arabs, Muslims, and indigenous, tribal people living deep in a tropical jungle. Despite differences in language, faith, or traditions, Avram discovered a common humanity that transcends boundaries. People everywhere share similar desires for love, understanding, and connection underscoring the importance of empathy and compassion in fostering mutual respect and understanding. "We are all way more alike than we are different. We all need to remember that." Avram believes that storytelling plays a vital role in uniting people from different walks of life, allowing them to share their unique experiences and perspectives. That's how we learn. "We are all storytellers, and we all need to listen. Let's make the space for that." Avram Gold's final chapters have yet to be written. All we can do now is collectively sit back, relax, and see what he does next. Avram still enjoys playing drums, one of his life-long passions, (2024). Photo by Mark Lanza.